squares

July 25, 2009 - In London and Berlin beaches have been reclaimed for public use, however, artificial installations emulating beach activity in an urban setting are gaining popularity with local authorities.
In 2002 Bertrand Delanoe announced his scheme for an urban riviera in Paris – the 'City of Light' with others following such as Birmingham to establish this urban trend. more >

An inventive townscape regeneration project in Burscough Bridge, a large village in Lancashire, has delivered an inspiring new public realm. Vision, innovation, craftsmanship, quality materials and partnership work together to underlie the project’s success

The design partnership worked closely with West Lancashire District Council, Lancashire County Council, Burscough Parish Council, Lancashire County Council and a local community steering group. The community had clear preferences, with a new village clock being a top priority. The £1 million scheme, funded by West Lancashire Investors in Business Regeneration Programme (NWDA) also had the key objective of bringing about a dramatic change in how Burscough Bridge is perceived. watch the animation

In terms of pedestrian movement modelling and design analysis, there are dedicated tools used by specialist pedestrian modellers like Intelligent Space, and by analysis-led practices such as Space Syntax. Data from these analyses can be fed into the design process in the same way as other specialist analyses, for example noise and light assessments.

March 24, 2008 - The redevelopment of Nottingham’s Old Market Square has won three awards from the Civic Trust. Old Market Square won public realm; hard landscaping and a regeneration awards, beating a shortlist of 100. more >

February 19, 2008 - A new fountain – which doubles up as a stage when dry – is proposed as the centrepiece of a redeveloped Winckley Square in Preston.The imaginative design also includes granite walkways and fibre optic lights, as well as the creative use of sculpture and metal artwork.The winning design by Cooper Partnership (a Bristol-based design consultancy) won a competition to breathe new life into the cit... more >

February 19, 2008 - Derwent Lodge Properties has signed an agreement with Liverpool Vision and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to develop a key city centre site at West Moorfields.The site, which forms a gateway into the expanding Commercial District, comprises Cross Keys House (in NWDA’s ownership), a large open space currently used as a surface level car park and a vacant warehouse building, both... more >

January 26, 2008 - London's Parliament Square could be turned into a pedestrianised tribute to the history of British democracy under proposals being drawn up for London mayor Ken Livingstone.Parliament Square is to be transformed from a congested traffic island into a paved pedestrian piazza aimed at celebrating the history of British democracy in time for the London 2012 Olympics, says The Guardian. more >

Barking Central is designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, originally for Urban Catalyst - now for Redrow, to create 200 homes and a lifelong learning centre on the site of an original library. The project sits adjacent to the existing town hall and includes the creation of a new civic square

Nick Corbett | 2004 | RIBA

The city square has always been at the heart of public urban life. Governments around the world are encouraging city authorities to work with the private sector by investing in urban design, and new city squares are providing the focus for this activity.

The various governmental, professional and corporate organisations involved with the design, development and management of public space have traditionally been divided into separate disciplines, resulting in a fragmented system characterised by communication gaps between the main stakeholders. This book demonstrates what can be achieved when stakeholders work together for the benefit of all.